FFA brings leadership to ASU

ALAMOSA — San Luis Valley Future Farmers of America (FFA) gathered in the Adams State University Student Union for the Becoming Involved as a Greenhand (BIG) FFA Conference on Wednesday.

The annual leadership conference is the first taste of FFA for first year members. FFA state and district officers hosted the event aiming to inspire the new association members from Alamosa, Centauri, Sangre de Cristo, Sargent, Sanford and La Veta high schools to move forth with confidence.

For example, state secretary Bekka McCaleb told the greenhands a story about fear. In 2009, she was in Greely at a FFA event that included a talent show in which she was the closing act.

“I could have been booed or maybe I could just do it,” McCaleb recalled about sharing her singing voice with the crowd that night. “Now, I’m trying out for The Voice next year. I opened the door for my dreams to come true.”

In addition to McCaleb, the rest of the state officers were on hand to give advice including the Valley’s own Brandy Jo Marrinan and Carly Hinton.

Returning FFA members spent the day practicing leadership and communication skills under the guidance of passing FFA state officers Emily Rudder and Kurt Lieberknecht.

“It’s going really good,” said District President Shantel Harris. “The Valley is so small we can make an impact if we work together. It is about leadership, integrity and the power to make people feel involved and important.”